Department of Rehabilitation Services

Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol:

The intent of this physical therapy protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the
post-operative rehabilitation course of a patient who has undergone a total knee arthroplasty
(TKA) at Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH). It is by no means intended to be a
substitute for ones clinical decision making regarding the progression of a patients postoperative course based on their physical exam/findings, individual progress, and/or the
presence of post-operative complications. If a clinician requires assistance in the progression
of a post-operative patient, the clinician should consult with the referring surgeon.
This physical therapy protocol applies to primary total knee arthroplasty. In a revision total
knee arthroplasty, or in cases where there is more connective tissue involvement, Phase I
and II should be progressed with more caution to ensure adequate healing.
Progression to the next phase is based on Clinical Criteria and/or Time Frames as
appropriate.
Pain Management
Adequate pain control after TKA is important in expediting patient progress with mobility
and range of motion after surgery. This in turn may result in a shorter hospital stay and
improved patient satisfaction.
Pain management following TKA at Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH) is multimodal
and may include:
Pre-operative dose of medications including Acetaminophen and/or Celebrex.
Spinal or epidural analgesia Administered as a continuous infusion or as a onetime dose, lasting 6-8 hours. Intrathecal opioids may be added to the anesthetic
cocktail. Side effects of epidural injection may include low blood pressure and
decreased motor function. If a continuous infusion is used, it is typically stopped at
6am on post-operative day #1.
Peripheral nerve blocks Femoral and/or sciatic nerveblocks may be administered
as a continuous infusion for a period following surgery, or as a one-time dose,
lasting 6-8 hours. If a continuous infusion is used, it is typically stopped at 6am on
post-operative day #1. Potential side-effects may include nerve damage and a lack of
muscle control in the immediate post-operative period.
IV or oral analgesics This may include use of an opioid Patient-Controlled
Analgesia (PCA). Post-operative pain medications may include opiods (short-acting
and continuous-release Oxycodone, Dilaudid, Morphine), centrally-acting
analgesics (Acetaminophen), anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors,
Ketorolac), -agonists (Gabapentin, Tramadol), and/or transdermal patches
(typically an opioid such as Fentanyl, used in conjunction with oral pain regiment).
Local analgesics - intra-articular or periarticular injections during TKA surgery may
be used for post-operative pain control and to improve range-of-motion (ROM).
Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol
Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved

Department of Rehabilitation Services

Intra-articular injections may include a combination of ropivicaine, epinephrine,
Ketorlac, and clonididne.
Due to the use of epidural anesthesia and/or peripheral nerve blocks at BWH, it is important
to assess the extent of motor and sensory block the first 48 hours after surgery. Patients
must demonstrate adequate quadriceps and lower extremity motor control to participate
safely in out-of-bed (OOB) activities.
Phase I Immediate Post Surgical Phase (Day 0-3):
The goal of physical therapy intervention during the early post-operative phase is to
decrease swelling, increase range of motion, enhance muscle control and strength in the
involved lower extremity and maximize patients mobility with a goal of functional
independence. Physical therapy interventions are also directed towards identifying other
sensomotor or systemic conditions that may influence a patients rehabilitation potential.
Goals:
The patient will:
1. Perform bed mobility and transfers with the least amount of assistance while
maintaining appropriate weight bearing (WB) precautions.
2. Ambulate with an assistive device for 25-100 feet and ascend/descend stairs to allow
for independence with household activities while maintaining appropriate WB.
3. Regain at least 80 degrees of passive and active range of motion in the knee to
perform sit to stand transfers with minimal compensatory activity.
4. Gain knee extension less than or equal to -10 degrees.
5. Independently perform operative extremity Straight Leg Raise (SLR) exercise.
6. Verbalize understanding of post-operative activity recommendations/precautions
including use of proper positioning of the lower extremity, range of motion and
strengthening exercises.
7. Patients will also be educated on superficial massage of the knee joint to minimize
hypersensitivity following surgery.
Use of a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine is not part of the standard of care
for patients s/p TKR at BWH. Use of a CPM may be indicated according to surgeon
preference, or in cases where post-operative knee range-of-motion (ROM) is severely
restricted due to revision or reconstructive surgery, severe post-operative pain, limb
girth and/or edema, or impaired ability to participate in ROM exercises.
Observation and Assessment:
Observe for any signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT): increased swelling,
erthymia, calf pain.

Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol

Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved

Department of Rehabilitation Services

If a large amount of drainage is present, or there is blistering or frail skin around the
knee joint or the lower extremities, discuss with the nurse and decide if notifying the
surgical team is indicated.
Assess patients pain using the visual analogue scale. Ensure that patients are
premedicated with oral/IV pain medication 30-60 minutes prior to treatment.
Cryotherapy is recommended following physical therapy treatment to reduce pain,
discomfort and swelling in the knee joint.

Therapeutic exercise and functional mobility:

Active/active assisted/passive (A/AA/PROM) exercises (seated and supine).

Patella femoral and tibial femoral joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization as
indicated.
Soft tissue massage.
Isometric quadriceps, hamstring, and gluteal isometric exercises.
Straight leg raises (SLR)
Lower extremity range of motion (ROM) and strengthening as indicated based on
evaluation findings.
Closed chain exercises (if patient demonstrates good pain control, muscle strength
and balance). Close-chained exercises should be performed with bilateral upper
extremity support while maintaining appropriate WB precautions.
Gait training on flat surfaces and on stairs.
Transfer training.

Modalities:

Continuous Cryotherapy for 72 hours after surgery, or at least 5 times/day.

Patients are encouraged to use cryotherapy for 20 minutes before and after their
independent exercise program.
Precautions:

Weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT) with assistive device (unless indicated

otherwise by the surgeon) to full weight bearing.

Monitor wound healing and consult with referring MD if signs and symptoms of
excessive bleeding and poor incision integrity are present.

Monitor for signs of DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), and/or loss of peripheral
nerve integrity. In these cases, notify the MD immediately.
No exercises with weights or resistance.
Avoid torque or twisting forces across the knee joint especially when WB on
involved limb.
Positioning:
A trochanter roll should be used as needed to maintain neutral hip rotation and
promote knee extension.
Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol
Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved

Department of Rehabilitation Services

A towel roll should be placed at the ankle to promote knee extension when patients
are supine in bed.
Nothing should be placed behind the operative knee, to promote maximal knee
extension and prevent knee flexion contracture.

Criteria for progression to the next phase:

Ability to demonstrate Quadriceps contraction and/or perform a straight leg raise
(SLR)
Active knee range of motion (AROM) -10-80
Minimal pain and inflammation
Independent transfers and ambulation at least 100 feet with appropriate assistive
device.
Phase II Motion Phase (Day 3 Week 6)
Goals:
Improve knee active range of motion (AROM) to >/= 0-110 degrees
Muscle strengthening of the entire operative extremity with emphasis on knee
extensor and flexor muscle groups.
Attention should also be directed toward any weakness present in the operative
extremity as well as any generalized weakness in the upper extremities, trunk or
contralateral lower extremity.
Proprioceptive training to improve body/spatial awareness of the operative extremity
in functional activities.
Endurance training to increase cardiovascular fitness.
Functional training to promote independence in activities of daily living and
mobility.
Gait training: Assistive devices are discontinued when the patient demonstrates
adequate lower extremity strength and balance during functional activities (usually
1-4 weeks)
Decrease inflammation/swelling
Return to functional activities
Therapeutic Exercises:
Weeks 1-4
AA/A/PROM, stretching for flexion (>90 degrees) and extension
Stationary Bicycle for ROM, begin with partial revolutions then progress as tolerated
to full revolutions (no resistance).
Patella femoral and tibial femoral joint mobilization as indicated.
Continue isometric quadriceps, hamstring, and gluteal isometric exercises
Supine heel slides and seated Long Arc Quad (LAQ)
SLR in 4 planes (flexion, abduction, adduction, extension)
Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol
Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved

Department of Rehabilitation Services

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for quads if poor quad contraction is present.
NMES parameters to be set based on goal of exercise/activity. See neuromuscular electrical
stimulation procedural standard of care for specific details.)
Gait training to improve function and quality of involved limb performance during
swing through and stance phase. Patients are encouraged to wean off their assistive
device at the latest by the end of second week from surgery.
Postural cues/ reeducation during all functional activities as indicated.

Weeks 4-6
Continue above exercises
Continue patella femoral and tibial femoral joint mobilization as indicated.
Continue NMES of quads if poor muscular performance of quad is present. May
progress NMES use from isometric quad activity to isotonic and functional activity
Front and lateral step up and step down.
1/4 front lunge.
Use sit to stand and chair exercises to increase knee flexion during functional tasks.
Continue stationary bicycle for ROM
Begin pool program if incision is completely healed
*Note: Exercises with resistance may be initiated as tolerated for operative extremity after
goals for the first phase have been met, and the patient has met criteria for progression to the
next phase.
Modalities:
Cryotherapy 1-3x/day for swelling and pain management.
Other modalities at the discretion of the therapist based on clinical findings (Please
see Department of Rehabilitation Services Modality specific procedures).
Precautions:
WBAT with assistive device as needed to minimize compensatory gait. Patient may
be encouraged to use a straight cane within one week of surgery if he/she is WBAT
to FWB. Patients may be weaned from assistive device by 2 weeks if they did not
use an assistive device preoperatively and post-operative muscle performance is
adequate for weight acceptance.
Monitor wound healing and consult with referring MD if signs and symptoms of
infection are present.
Monitor for increased edema and continue with cryotherapy as needed.
Criteria for progression to the next phase:
AROM 0-110
Good voluntary quadriceps control

Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol

Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved

Department of Rehabilitation Services

Independent ambulation community distances (>/= 800 feet), without assistive

device, deviations or antalgia
Minimal pain and inflammation

Phase III Intermediate phase (week 7-12):

Goals:

Maximize post-operative ROM (0-115 degrees plus)

Good patella femoral mobility.
Good strength all lower extremity musculature.
Return to most functional activities and begin light recreational activities (i.e.
walking, pool program)

Therapeutic Exercises:
Continue exercises listed in Phase II with progression including resistance and
repetitions. It is recommended to assess hip/knee and trunk stability at this time and
provide patients with open/closed chain activities that are appropriate for each
patients individual needs.
Continue patella femoral and tibial femoral joint mobilization as indicated.
Initiate endurance program, walking and/or pool.
Initiate and progress age-appropriate balance and proprioception exercises.
Discontinue NMES of quads when appropriate quad activity is present.
Criteria for progression to next phase:
AROM without pain, or plateaued AROM based on preoperative ROM status.
4+/5 muscular performance based on MMT of all lower extremity musculature.
Minimal to no pain or swelling.
Phase IV Advanced strengthening and higher level function stage (week 12-16):
Goals:
Return to appropriate recreational sports / activities as indicated
Enhance strength, endurance and proprioception as needed for activities of daily
living and recreational activities
Therapeutic Exercises:
Continue previous exercises with progression of resistance and repetitions.
Increased duration of endurance activities.
Initiate return to specific recreational activity: golf, doubles tennis, progressive
walking or biking program.

Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol

Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved

Department of Rehabilitation Services

Criteria for Discharge:
(These are general guidelines as patients may progress differently depending on previous
level of function and individual goals.)
Non-antalgic, independent gait
Independent step over step stair climbing
Pain-free AROM
At least 4+/5 muscular performance based on MMT of all lower extremity
musculature.
Normal, age appropriate balance and proprioception.
Patient is independent with home exercise program.

Authors:
Roya Ghazinouri, PT
Amy Rubin, PT
6/2007

Reviewers:
Carolyn Beagan, PT
Janice McInnes, PT
John Wright, MD
Reg B. Wilcox III, PT

Updated by:
Wesley Congdon, PT
1/2012

Reviewed by:
Carolyn Beagan, PT
Roya Ghazinouri, PT

Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol

Copyright 2012 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Department of Rehabilitation Services. All rights reserved